STEM guides
Two practical guides have been launched to help businesses engage with schools to encourage STEM education and careers. Entitled Making Education Your Business: A practical guide to supporting STEM teaching in schools and colleges, the first is a joint publication from the Royal Society and the Confederation of British Industry. It sets out five ideas to help businesses plan and structure their work with schools. The second – Why Your Business Should Go Back to School: How you can inspire the next STEM generation – is a report from Project ENTHUSE, an initiative which provides funding for STEM CPD in education. The report also offers a number of practical steps businesses can take to inspire the next generation of STEM specialists. To download the publications, visit https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/education-skills/ and www.stem.org.uk/next-generation
Science on Stage
Science on Stage UK is seeking up to 12 passionate teachers and technicians from all areas of science in five to 19 education to represent the UK at the Science on Stage European Festival in 2017. Chosen UK delegates will be sharing their expertise with teachers from 25 other countries. Science on Stage UK is coordinated by the Royal Society and those interested can register now. The application process goes live in July. Visit: www.scienceonstage.org.uk
Character deadline
The deadline for entries in the 2016 Character Awards – run by the Department of Education – is just a few days away. The awards seek to recognise and celebrate innovative and excellent practice in schools in the emerging field of character education. The deadline for entries is Monday (May 23) and the awards are open to all schools. You can download an entry form online or call 07399 497069 for further information. Visit: http://teachingawards.com/dfe-character-awards-2016/
Computing CPD
This year’s Computing at School conference (CAS) is due to take place on June 18, offering a range of CPD for primary and secondary teachers of computer science. Key speakers include David J Malan, professor of computer science at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Science. The conference includes a number of plenary sessions and 40 workshops. It takes place in Birmingham. Visit: http://bit.ly/1WyYKU7
Euro 2016 literacy
As Euro 2016 draws near, the National Literacy Trust and children’s author Tom Palmer have launched a literacy toolkit for schools. The tournament takes place in France and the toolkit blends the upcoming football with the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, which began in the same country 100 years ago. It includes ideas and resources to inspire pupils aged 7 to 13 to love reading and writing. It includes an original 16-chapter story to be read live in schools during the tournament. Visit: www.literacytrust.org.uk/euro-2016